The God Who Knows You

by Glenna Marshall

In the middle of the Bible, near the end of Psalms, we find the answers to our questions about God’s love for us. Truthfully, the entirety of God’s Word is a declaration of undeserved love. I’ve wrestled with my poor understanding of God’s opinion of me; it’s this one chapter in the middle of my Bible that has helped me unravel my disorderly perceptions and stitch them back together with a biblical thread.

Psalm 139 is a celebration of being known, really known, and loved anyway by God. With verses that lift our chins to look at our Creator, the Psalm peels back the layers of who we are as humans, upon whom God has set His affections with purpose and loyalty. Nothing is exposed that God doesn’t already know about. Though we hide our worst selves so we can be loved according to the world’s definition of the word. His love isn’t based on our good traits. He loves us because He loves us. Because He always planned to know us up close and intimately, to set His affections on us as His children. 

The psalmist proclaims what it means to be fully known by God, but in a way that brings comfort, joy, and peace rather than shame, doubt, and fear. When we believe that God’s opinion of us is not unfavorable, when we get a glimpse of His intentional care for us, when we stop imbuing the God who is love with our poor definitions of it—then we will love Him more, for we will better understand that His thoughts toward us are not what we deserve.

Psalm 139:1 sets the stage for the entire passage, declaring to the Lord what we know about His knowledge. “O Lord, you have searched me and known me!” This word known isn’t referencing a mere acquisition of facts. It’s a thorough examination, an intimate evaluation. God has seen every hidden corner of our hearts and every secret thought in our minds. He knows what’s in our hearts—truly in our hearts—better than we do.

As Christians, we often talk about the cross as the epoch or the pinnacle of God’s love, confusing His ultimate expression of love for His final expression of love. But God’s love didn’t stop at the cross. His love didn’t stop when He shone the light of Christ in your heart and gave you saving faith. His love didn’t stop once He moved you from death to life, from old creature to new creation. His love didn’t stop when He adopted you into His family. No. These were simply your first awakenings to His love for you. He’s loving you as generously and lavishly now.

Our God is no miserly dad with a creaky wallet. He is a gracious Father whose love predates time itself, was displayed in Christ, and never ends for those who belong to Him. He had to send Jesus because we are so sinful, but He wanted to send Jesus because we are valuable to Him. [2] God knows you. Inside and out. And He loves you. Inside and out. Take time to learn what it means to be known, so we’ll know how to live loved.

Adapted from Known & Loved: Experiencing the Affection of God in Psalm 139 by Glenna Marshall. (©2025). Published by Moody Publishers. Used with permission.

[2] This phrase came from Dr. Timothy Keller, in his sermon, “Running From God,” on Jonah 1:1–10 preached at Redeemer Presbyterian Church on September 9, 2001.

Glenna Marshall is married to her pastor, William, and is the mother of two sons. She is the author of The Promise is His Presence, Everyday Faithfulness, Memorizing Scripture, and Known and Loved. She is a member of Grace Bible Fellowship in Sikeston, Missouri, where she and her husband have served for over twenty years.